Monday, October 27, 2008

Mystery Halloween Book

So today, a book from my youth popped in my head and I am going to pull a dad (The Promise) and ask you all what book it is. I know we owned it for a long time and I hope mom and dad still have it.
Here are the details I remember:

-A kid (or maybe 2 or 3), are dressed up for Halloween, one is a ghost I think, and they run into like a real Halloween party in the woods.

-They see real moster or goblin-like creatures having a party and cook out and kind of try to blend in.

-I remember as a child being particularly impressed by a scarab beetle of some sort, I don't know the role of the scarab beetle, but I remember a picture of it.

-I remember one of the goblin like things (with a read shirt and orange hair) getting sick or having a stomach ache or something.

-The book was one of those really beautifully illustrated books (not cartoonish), and had a very distinct smell. You know how all books have some sort of smell and some are stronger then others? This one had a strong one.

HELP ME!

13 comments:

Sue said...

This book seems hauntingly familiar to me. (I love using that word and it seems appropriate on a couple of levels.) I can picture them all like dancing around a bonfire? When you mentioned the goblin wearing the red shirt and having orange hair really triggered the memory. And it seems like one of the trick-or-treaters is holding one of those classic orange pumpkin candy carrier things.

I think we are going to have to rely on mom remembering this one. So one of you WY people is going to have to make mom read this posting!

Cat said...

I think I have it. Mom gave me a bunch of our old books when Booker was little. I've tried to not let any go to D.I. But I swear I saw this one just the other day. I'll check it out when I get home tonight.

Sue said...

Way to go Cat! I hope you have it, because now I'm really curious to see this book. Em and I were talking about another one the day we did the Halloween cookies. It was about a little girl who was a witch but was kind of a basketcase or something? We think it was called The Worst Witch, and it was kind of a longer book. Does that sound familiar to anyone?

Cat said...

It's possible I have The Worst Witch too.

Emily said...

Speaking of books you have of mom and dads Cat, you gave me a bunch of those (like The Bumper Book). I am pretty sure those two books aren't included in that group. You did give me two copies of McGelligot's Pool and one of them has a hand written note from mom to Booker, and I was thinking you probably want that one back?

I would LOVE to see that witch book again too!

Cat said...

Yeah, Em. You can have any that I have. Sadly through the years I've had to throw a few away. The Grover one completely fell apart, but they still print it. That one made me sad. I don't know if I ever got the Bumper Book, but I'll look.

Emily said...

What I remember about The Worst Witch was her going to witch school and she was really nice and wore a purple dress. She also had a cat and she couldn't stop smiling. Then something turned and she got really mad, had a little tantrum (stomped on something) and turned into a mean (and therefore good) witch.
Wait a minute, did she ride a yellow surfboard instead of a broom???? That just popped in my head but I totally could have made it up.

Emily said...

I said you DID give me the Bumper Book (amongst others).

Sue said...

I don't remember the surf board. We could be thinking of 2 different books. Cat you need to bust out those books and we need to get together again and look at them!

Amy said...

Sorry I'm no help. This book must have been just from your childhoods, I'm too old! Sorry and good luck

Emily said...

The more I think of the surfboard, the more I know I'm right. I am also pretty sure we are talking about the same book Sue. I believe the cover is printed on both sides, but in one she is nice riding her yellow board and the other side she is mad and riding her broom.

I'm surprised you don't remember it Aim, I know I was really young when reading this book. (Both books)

Emily said...

Ever find these books Cat?

Cat said...

I went through Booker's bookshelves last night and took out all the old books Mom gave me that I had kept. I have a pile in my room to give to you. Among them possibly the correct mystery Halloween book, The Wind in the Willows (wonderfully illustrated), a Muppet Show book, and I can't remember what else. I'll trade you for the McElligot's Pool you have that's from Mom to Booker.